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British PM issues ‘stay at home’ order for London to slow infectious virus strain

UK
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson

New Delhi (NVI): British Prime Minister Boris Johnson today announced a “stay at home” order for London and southeast England to slow a new coronavirus strain that is significantly more infectious.

The new strain of the virus “does appear to be passed on significantly more easily,” Johnson said at a televised briefing.

He ordered new restrictions for London and south-eastern England, to come into effect from Sunday, saying, “Under the new tier four rules, residents in those areas must stay at home at least until December 30.”

Under the stricter restrictions, all non-essential shops, hairdressers and indoor leisure venues will be closes after the end of business hours on Saturday.

With just five days to go until Christmas, Johnson also announced that a planned easing of socializing rules that would have allowed up to three households to meet in “Christmas bubbles” from December 23 to 27 , will be canceled for Tier 4 areas and sharply curtailed in the rest of England.

In the rest of England, people will be allowed to meet in Christmas bubbles for just one day instead of five, as the government originally planned.

A fast-moving new variant of the coronavirus that is more than 70 per cent more transmissible than existing strains appears to be driving the rapid spread in London and southern England, Johnson said. London now has the highest infection rates in England.

On Saturday there were 27,052 new cases in the UK, slightly low from Friday, when 28,507 cases were reported.

The U.K. has Europe’s second-highest COVID-19 death toll behind Italy, standing at 66,541 as of Saturday.

-CHK

Hospital fire kills 9 Covid-19 patients at ICU in Turkey

New Delhi (NVI): At least nine people have been killed after an oxygen machine caused a fire in a private hospital in Turkey’s southeastern Gaziantep province.

The incident took place in the COVID-19 intensive care unit in the Sanko University Hospital where a fire was caused by a high-flow oxygen therapy machine used in the treatment of COVID-19 patients, according to media reports.

All the victims were aged between 56 and 85.

Health Minister Fahrettin Koca tweeted that nine people were killed in the fire, raising the earlier estimate of eight dead by the hospital and the Gaziantep governor’s office. There was no immediate explanation for the discrepancy.

Furthermore, over 50 people, including doctors, medical personnel and security guards, were affected by the fire while trying to transfer patients from the scene during the incident, and 10 staffers are in oxygen therapy.

After the explosion, 11 other patients receiving COVID-19 treatment in the unit were referred to various hospitals.

An investigation has been launched regarding the incident.

Intensive care units across Turkey currently have a 74 per cent bed occupancy rate due to the coronavirus outbreak, according to government figures.

On Friday evening, Turkey’s health ministry reported 26,410 new cases over the previous 24 hours, bringing the total since March to 1.98 million.

-CHK

‘Asiatic lions’ – Pride of Girnar

Representational image

COLUMN

By Bharat Lal

Girnar forest, spread across 179 sq km, is located in the drought prone region of Junagadh, Gujarat. Till 1963, Asiatic Lions inhabited this area. Due to illegal hacking and felling, the forest degenerated and wildlife lost their habitat.

People were concerned and there was a desire to do something about it. With time bootleggers started using this for production of illicit liquor. In this backdrop, I was given an opportunity and posted there in July, 1992.

Some concerted efforts were made and this forest was presented to people as a source of water for Junagadh city and adjoining 39 villages. In addition to protection, eco-restoration drive was taken up.

About 1,100 plus illegal wood cutters whose livelihood was dependent on this forest, were trained and offered alternate opportunities. Law was enforced. NGOs and nature lovers joined hands. A movement was started to restore this forest and its wildlife.

Massive soil and moisture conservation work was taken up. To boost the morale of staff, housing and other facilities was created near forest areas, communication networks were set up.

Mining was stopped, open mines were converted to water bodies. Watershed management principles followed. More than 140 odd check dams constructed to create perennial water sources. Rampant encroachment that had happened because of it being adjacent to a city, was removed. Order was restored.

Girnar is also a sacred place for the Jain community. Hindus and Muslims too have religious places in this area.

In 1993, herbivores especially spotted dear and Sambhar started appearing. Rare rusty spotted cat appeared.

Now, it was turn of the King of Jungles himself. He came, and came with his pride. During the monsoon of 1993, Asiatic Lions returned. Radial distance from Gir being about 40 kms, migration of lions also took place.

In 1995 Lion census, their population was recorded. At times, lions can also be seen sitting on roads leading to the forest.

Later, Gujarat government headed by the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi declared it a sanctuary.

Today, more than 50 Asiatic Lions are inhabiting in this area. They got back their abode, which was one lost. People of Junagadh got back their pride – pride of Gujarat – thriving population of Asiatic Lions. And of course, precious clean water. Wood cutters went on to make their and their children’s life better.

And in midst of all this, there is the ‘Grand Old Guard of Girnar’ – the Guardian of Girnar who is looking after it, giving inspiration, strength to contribute in this noble path.

People like us come and go. But he is there, always. Day in and day out. Protecting our natural heritage. And with him, on the ground, forest guards to make all this happen. They are there, whether it is cold of winter or heat of summer, whether it is in midst of forest fire or in rains, they are there with a single motto – to protect it, to preserve it for us, for our present and of course for our future generations.

There is a lesson in protecting and preserving our natural heritage, involving people and looking from their angle. Seeing our efforts from different vantage points. Assimilating it. Enabling people to own it. To make it their mission…. their goal of life…

(The author, an IFS officer, is serving as Additional Secretary in Union Jal Shakti Ministry)

J&K: ED attaches Farooq Abdullah’s properties worth Rs 11.86 cr

File photo: National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah

Neyaz Elahi

Srinagar (NVI): Enforcement Directorate (ED) today attached properties of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Farooq Abdullah, valued at around Rs 11.86 crores under PMLA in connection with the laundering of funds of Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA).

“The attached properties include three residential houses, one at Gupkar Road, Srinagar; one at Tehsil Katipora, Tanmarg, and one at Bhatindi in Jammu; commercial buildings at posh Residency Road area of Srinagar,” ED said in a statement.

Beside this, lands at four different places in J&K have also been attached, the statement added.

“The order we received mentions the name of Dr Farooq Abdullah and some others,” Srinagar based top ED official told NVI.

He said ED has issued a provisional attachment order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and the properties will be sealed shortly.

“Among these attached properties the residence and land of Dr. Farooq Abdullah at Gupkar Road and commercial buildings at Residency Road, at prime upmarket locations, are state lands obtained on lease. The other attached house at Bhatindi, Village Sunjwan, (Jammu) had been constructed by Farooq Abdullah on state land and forest land, where he has also grabbed state land and forest land,” Enforcement Directorate noted.

“Between years 2006 to January 2012, when Dr. Farooq Abdullah was the president of JKCA, he misused his position and clout by illegal appointments of office bearer at JKCA to whom he gave financial powers for the purpose of laundering of JKCA Funds. Investigation also reveals that Dr. Farooq Abdullah was instrumental as well as beneficiary of the laundered funds of JKCA,” the ED further said.

Furthermore, despite existing regular bank account of JKCA, six new bank accounts were opened for parking of JKCA Funds and siphoning of the same. One dormant bank account in the name of Kashmir Wing of JKCA was also made operational for the same purpose, the agency noted.

According to the probe agency, the BCCI had given Rs 113 crore (approx) to Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association from 2002 to 2011 as a grant for the promotion of cricket in J&K. Of this, Rs.43.69 crore was allegedly siphoned off and misappropriated by the accused.

-CHK

Rajnath slams Pakistan on terror, reminds it of Balakot air strike

New Delhi (NVI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today reminded Pakistan of the Balakot air strikes as he spoke about the neighbouring country’s continuous “nefarious activities”, including the proxy war through terrorism, after losing four wars.

“In the western sector, our neighbour Pakistan keeps on indulging in nefarious activities on the border. Even after losing 4 wars, they are still carrying out proxy war (against India) through terror,” he said while addressing Air Force Academy graduation ceremony in Hyderabad.

He hailed the security forces for countering these attempts by Pakistan.

“Our security forces, police and army are fighting the terrorists with utmost vigilance….They are combating terrorism not only at the home turf but also beyond the border,” the Defence Minister said.

Talking about the glorious history of IAF and its exemplary role during wars and other operations, Singh said, “It has always displayed gallantry. From the Battle of Longewala in 1971 to the recent Balakot airstrikes, all the episodes will be considered as golden chapters in our country’s history.”

He referred to the air strike at a major training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) in Balkot in Pakistan on February 26 last year and said, “The IAF did an effective job and made the world realise the country’s potential and its resolve against terrorism.”

The air strike was carried out in retaliation to a ghastly terror attack by JeM in Pulwama in Kashmir in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed in a gruesome manner.

Austria will go into third COVID lockdown after Christmas

coronavirus

New Delhi (NVI): Austria will go into its third coronavirus lockdown after Christmas and lift it earlier for people who get tested, the government said, just 11 days after its second lockdown ended.

Non-essential shops reopened last week after a nearly three-week-long lockdown that brought daily infections below 3,000 from a peak of more than 9,000. However, a nighttime curfew is still in place.

Larger gatherings of up to 10 people from 10 different households will be allowed over Christmas, however, and that is sure to accelerate infections again.

“The prognosis for all of Europe is a very, very dramatic one and we are now already seeing exploding infection numbers in many other countries,” Chancellor Sebastian Kurz told a news conference.

“That means since we are not an island and we have many exchanges with other countries that we can now expect that here, too, exponential growth is possible at any moment,” he said adding that a lockdown was the best response.

The new lockdown will start on December 26. Shops, restaurants, theatres, museums and schools will reopen the week of Jan. 18. Mass tests will be held on Jan. 15-17, enabling people who test negative to end their lockdown sooner.

For those who do not get tested, lockdown will last until January 24.

-CHK

178 militants killed in 86 gunfights this year in J&K

Shopian
(Representational/file photo)

Neyaz Elahi

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed 86 gunfights between militants and joint forces till date this year, which has killed 178 militants and among these gunfights, 77 alone raged in Kashmir valley.

The data available with NVI reveals that, these encounters in Kashmir left 203 people dead including 178 militants, 10 soldiers, 5 para-military troopers, 5 policemen and 5 civilians.

At least 17 militants and 3 soldiers were killed in 9 gunfights in different parts of Jammu region as well. Under the jurisdiction of Jammu region, the areas that fall and witnessed gunfights this year included Khari-Taharat and Nowshera areas of Rajouri, Doda, Dachan Kishtwar and Nagrota,

According to the data, seven militants were alone killed in twin gunfights of Nagrota Jammu. In a recent gunfight, the truck driver ferrying Jaish militants managed to escape from the spot and is still absconding.

Some villages in Kashmir Valley witnessed more than one gunfight. These include Zantral Khrew, Meej Pampore and Melhora and Pinjora in Shopian.

Among 10 district of Kashmir valley, Ganderbal in Central Kashmir witnessed no gunfight at all, though militants in this district carried out few attacks, while the south Kashmir’s Pulwama district witnessed large number of gunfights.

These gunfights in the district rage in Charsoo, Gulshanpora Tral, Kuchalman Tral, Chewlora Tral, Machohoma Tral, Saimoh Tral, Zantral Khrew, Hari Pari Awantipora, Kangan, Goripora Barsoo, Dangarpora, Meej, Bandzoo, Gusso, Kamrazpora, Zadora, Samboora Pampore, Dadoora, Hakripora Kakapora, Noorpora Awantipora, Begpora, Shar Shali Khrew, and Tikan village.

Furthermore, the data also revealed that, militants and Joint forces engaged in 7 gunfights in Kashmir capital Srinagar and areas where these gunfights took place included Lawaypora, Zoonimar, Malabagh, Batamaloo, Barzulla, Pantha Chowk, Kani Mazar Nawakadal and Rangreith,

Also, areas in Budgam that witnessed gunfights in the ongoing year included Behrampora Chadoora, Nawhar Charar-e-Sharif and Aribagh Mochwa.

In Baramulla district of north Kashmir these areas include Shatlu Rafiabad, Armpora Sopore, Hardshiva Sopore, Reban Sopore, Naugam Sector, Nowan Kreeri and Yedipora Pattan. While Keran, Chang Mohalla Handwara, Ganawpora Kralgund Handwara and Machil areas in frontier district Kupwara witnessed gunfights.

The militancy infested south Kashmir’s Shopian also witnessed gunfights in Wachi, Reban, Keegam, Melhora, Turkawangam, Mool Chitragam, Kilora, Sugan, Chakoora and Kutpora villages.

Another district of south Kashmir’s Kulgam witnessed only 5 encounters while in Anantnag encounters rage in Bijbehara, Sirhama Bijbehara, Arwani Bijbehara, Sangam Bijbehara, Kharpora Bijbehara, Wanghama Bijbehara, Watargam, Ronipora, Reban, Pinjora and Larnu Kokernag.

This year, June was the bloodiest month in Kashmir, Joint Forces managed to neutralize 45 militants in this month. A Para-military trooper was also killed in June in Bandzoo village of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

Apart from this, some of the top militants who were killed this year included Hizbul Mujhadeen Operational Commander Reyaz Naiko, Junaid Sehrai, Saifullah, Sajad Nawabi, Asif Dar, Ansar Ghazwatul Hind Commander Burhan Koka, Tahir Bhat, IED expert Ikram alias Faujibhai, Zubair Wani, Waleed and Jaish Kashmir Chief Qari Yasir.

-RJV

India received record investment during pandemic: PM at Assocham event

India's first driverless Metro train to be flagged off on Dec 28 by PM Modi

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the world has confidence in India which is reflected in record-high foreign investment into the country during the coronavirus pandemic.

While delivering the keynote address at Assocham Foundation 2020 event, Modi also urged the citizens to exert all pressure in order to achieve Atmanirbhar Bharat.

“The world has confidence in the Indian economy. During the coronavirus pandemic when the world is distraught over channelling investments, we have received a record amount of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). We have to increase our domestic investments in order to sustain this confidence,” PM Modi said.

“In the coming years, for Atmanirbhar Bharat, all of you should exert all possible force which can be mustered. The world is heading towards another Industrial Revolution. So from today we must plan & act on achieving our nation-building targets,” he added.

Modi said India’s challenge is not just to become self-reliant but also achieve this goal in a time-bound manner.

Prime Minister also presented the ‘Assocham Enterprise of the Century Award’ to Tata Group.

In the last 100 years, ASSOCHAM and the entire Tata group has worked very hard to strengthen India’s economy and help the common Indian. Ratan Tata has been honoured for his distinguished contributions to the country, said PM Modi

Modi also said that the global narrative towards India has changed with new reforms and the country’s industrial sector must play a major role in the Industrial Revolution that is taking place in the world.

“With new reforms, ease of doing business, ease in labour laws compliance and innovations, the past’s rhetoric of “Why India?” has turned to “Why not India?” said PM Modi.

“For the past 100 years, all of you have been involved in improving the economy of the country and the lives of crores of Indians. The coming 27 years will not only determine India’s global role, but it will test both dreams and dedication of Indians. This is the time to show your capability, commitment and courage as Indian Industry to the world,” he added.

-CHK

K’taka: Schools, PU colleges to reopen

Noida
File photo

New Delhi (NVI): The government of Karnataka today decided to reopen schools and pre-university colleges from January 1, which were closed due to COVID-19 outbreak.

The reopening of schools in the state is for students of class 10 and second-year PUC (Class 12).

However, the decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on reopening schools and PU colleges in the state.

At the meeting, it was also decided to start the Vidyagama programme, which enables continued schooling for students from classes 6 to 9.

The Chief Minister said the advice given by the state’s Technical Advisory Committee for COVID-19 on reopening of schools which discussed in detail for an hour. They suggested starting Classes 10 and 12 (second PUC) from January 1 and for imparting education for students from classes six to nine through the programme, he added.

In a tweet, Yediyurappa, regarding the same, added that a decision on reopening schools for students of other classes would be taken after considering the situation for 15 days.

The schools and PU colleges remained closed since March ahead of the nationwide lockdown was first enforced to combat COVID-19, while degree and engineering colleges in the state were reopened on November 17.

So far, the second worst-affected state Karnataka has reported 9,07,123 coronavirus infections, while the death toll stood at 11,989.

-RJV

India at cusp of allowing first set of COVID vaccine, says Vardhan

Harsh Vardhan

New Delhi (NVI): India is at the cusp of authorizing the first set of COVID-19 vaccines and the vaccination drive will cover the target populations estimated to be about 30 crores, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said today.

The Union Minister made this announcement while chairing the 22nd meeting of the high-level Group of Ministers (GoM) to review the coronavirus situation, through a video-conference, the Ministry of Health said in a statement.

Vardhan also reiterated his concern and appeal to diligently maintain COVID appropriate behaviour even at a time when the country is at the cusp of authorizing the first set of vaccines, he was quoted as saying in the statement.

He further expressed the need for an expeditious vaccination drive to cover all the target populations estimated to be around 30 crores.

During the meeting, Vardhan expressed his deep gratitude to all the COVID warriors who have been steadfast in their duty without any fatigue throughout the pandemic which is in its 12th month.

He also informed his colleagues about the gains made by the country’s public health system against COVID and the encouraging results so far, the statement read.

The minister stated that, “India’s COVID-19 pandemic growth has dropped to 2 per cent and case fatality rate is amongst lowest in the world at 1.45 per cent. “India’s recovery rate has peaked to 95.46 per cent while the strategy of testing 1 million samples has decreased the cumulative positivity rate to 6.25 per cent” he added.

Observing the fact that despite festivals in the month of October and November, Vardhan informed that no new surge of cases were observed in this period due to comprehensive testing, tracking and treatment policy implemented on the ground.

Vardhan was virtually joined by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep S Puri, Minister of State Health & Family Welfare Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, Member (Health) NITI Aayog Vinod K. Paul, Advisers to the Prime Minister Amarjeet Sinha and Bhaskar Khulbe, the ministry said.

At the meeting, Sujeet K Singh, NCDC director presented a detailed report on how the data driven graded government policies have helped India achieve a significant control over the pandemic.

He showed figures related to number of cases, deaths, their growth rate and how they compared favourably to the rest of the world which is witnessing a meteoric rise in these parameters.

Singh also presented a granular analysis of the trajectory of the pandemic in each state pointing out critical parameters like positivity, RAT and RT-PCR percent breakup, concentration of cases in particular districts and other trends like fatality, and fatality within 48 and 72 hours of hospitalization. He also presented data on the total dedicated COVID-19 facilities in the country.

Through a detailed presentation, NITI Aayog member Paul, apprised the GoM on three critical aspects of vaccination; the process of pre-clinical and clinical trial of all vaccines, the details of the six vaccine candidates undergoing trial in India and the composition of target populations in India, in terms of age, occupation and co-morbidities and how they compare with other countries and WHO’s recommendations.

He also briefed the GoM about requests for vaccines received by the Ministry of External Affairs from 12 other countries, the statement added.

-RJV

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